Chase-and-run dynamics in cell motility and the molecular rupture of interacting active elastic dimers

TL;DR

This study models cell migration as a chase-and-run dynamic using active elastic dimers, revealing how mechanical interactions and feedback mechanisms influence cell behavior during morphogenesis and cancer metastasis.

Contribution

It introduces a minimal one-dimensional model of interacting motile cells with rupture dynamics, elucidating conditions for chase-and-run and clumping behaviors.

Findings

Phase diagram shows chase-and-run and clumping regimes.

Feedback enhances chase-and-run but is not essential.

Rupture threshold influences interaction dynamics.

Abstract

Cell migration in morphogenesis and cancer metastasis typically involves interplay between different cell types. We construct and study a minimal, one-dimensional model comprised of two different motile cells with each cell represented as an active elastic dimer. The interaction between the two cells via cadherins is modeled as a spring that can rupture beyond a threshold force as it undergoes dynamic loading via the attached motile cells. We obtain a phase diagram consisting of chase-and-run dynamics and clumping dynamics as a function of the stiffness of the interaction spring and the threshold force. We also find that while feedback between cadherins and cell-substrate interaction via integrins accentuates the chase-run behavior, feedback is not necessary for it.